- Usage
- Public Domain
LibriVox recording of Rookwood, by William Harrison Ainsworth. Read by Paul Curran.
A rich and complex historical Gothic-Adventure story centring on the murky deeds of an ancient family. It is a wonderfully atmospheric piece that combines narrative, poetry, song, and descriptive writing to great effect. The character of Dick Turpin that we know today - the dashing highwaymen and unmatched horseman - can be said to stem directly from this novel, as the most famous part of the book (often published on its own in the past), Turpin's Ride To York, is devoted to him. Although seemingly little known to a modern audience, Ainsworth's 'Rookwood' gave the world the image of the highwayman with which we are all so familiar. (Summary by paulc)
For further information, including links to M4B audio book, online text, reader information, RSS feeds, CD cover or other formats (if available), please go to the LibriVox catalog page for this recording.
For more free audio books or to become a volunteer reader, visit LibriVox.org.
M4B audio book, part 1 (122mb)
M4B audio book, part 2 (112mb)
M4B audio book, part 3 (120mb)
M4B audio book, part 4 (115mb)
A rich and complex historical Gothic-Adventure story centring on the murky deeds of an ancient family. It is a wonderfully atmospheric piece that combines narrative, poetry, song, and descriptive writing to great effect. The character of Dick Turpin that we know today - the dashing highwaymen and unmatched horseman - can be said to stem directly from this novel, as the most famous part of the book (often published on its own in the past), Turpin's Ride To York, is devoted to him. Although seemingly little known to a modern audience, Ainsworth's 'Rookwood' gave the world the image of the highwayman with which we are all so familiar. (Summary by paulc)
For further information, including links to M4B audio book, online text, reader information, RSS feeds, CD cover or other formats (if available), please go to the LibriVox catalog page for this recording.
For more free audio books or to become a volunteer reader, visit LibriVox.org.
M4B audio book, part 1 (122mb)
M4B audio book, part 2 (112mb)
M4B audio book, part 3 (120mb)
M4B audio book, part 4 (115mb)
Reviews
Reviewer:
TwinkieToes
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
December 21, 2020
Subject: Definitely Gothic
Subject: Definitely Gothic
Full of spectres and curses and omens and secret passages, this is definitely classic Gothic Romance. The reader did an excellent job at conveying the mood.
My one quibble is the plenteous occurrences of ballads and songs, which while they may add to the mood, get tiresome. How many times can the old man sing a little morbid ditty on his way to the crypt?
Ah, well.
This one's good Halloween fare, not so good at Christmastime, when I happened to listen. Ha!
My one quibble is the plenteous occurrences of ballads and songs, which while they may add to the mood, get tiresome. How many times can the old man sing a little morbid ditty on his way to the crypt?
Ah, well.
This one's good Halloween fare, not so good at Christmastime, when I happened to listen. Ha!
Reviewer:
tuesdaynext
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
August 26, 2015
Subject: High Gothic
Subject: High Gothic
Excellent gothic tale read by talented reader. What more is there to ask?
Reviewer:
sarahm
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
August 29, 2013
Subject: Loved The Novel - Marvelous Reading
Subject: Loved The Novel - Marvelous Reading
Thank you to Paul Curran for this marvelous recording. I am currently listening to the novel for the second time. I craved to hear the songs and the evocative descriptions again. Here's hoping that more of Ainsworth's works will be recorded at some point.
Reviewer:
clay-ky
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July 21, 2013
Subject: My Lost Weekend
Subject: My Lost Weekend
Due to Paul Curran's delightful reading of this excellent Ainsworth gothic tale.
High quality recording.
A sincere Thanks to Mr. Curran, your time and effort much appreciated.
High quality recording.
A sincere Thanks to Mr. Curran, your time and effort much appreciated.
Reviewer:
TheBookworm
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
June 9, 2008
Subject: 17 hours of gothic suspense!
Subject: 17 hours of gothic suspense!
A fine dramatic reading of this forgotten gothic novel.
Bravo Paul Curran! One can only imagine how long this must have taken to record and edit. And bravo/brava LibriVox for bring us this great (and very long) book free and for nothing. The MP3 file is unusually clean and free of background noise and sound artifacts. (TheBookworm, Manchester, UK)
Bravo Paul Curran! One can only imagine how long this must have taken to record and edit. And bravo/brava LibriVox for bring us this great (and very long) book free and for nothing. The MP3 file is unusually clean and free of background noise and sound artifacts. (TheBookworm, Manchester, UK)
Reviewer:
alamedared
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
May 11, 2008
Subject: Ten Stars
Subject: Ten Stars
Where have you been all my life, dear author? Too long have your books lain undiscovered. I am so glad that Librivox brought you to light.
I have listened to "Rookwood" twice already and can't wait to do so again. The lush richness of the prose is unforgettable. The little song/verses,priceless. Thanks so much Librivoz!!!
A merry toast to Ainsworth and reader Paul Curran.
10 Stars
I have listened to "Rookwood" twice already and can't wait to do so again. The lush richness of the prose is unforgettable. The little song/verses,priceless. Thanks so much Librivoz!!!
A merry toast to Ainsworth and reader Paul Curran.
10 Stars
